"I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I know my transgressions."

Ch. 13 #1

Manasseh became king after his father, the good king Hezekiah, died. Manasseh was a wicked kind and quickly reversed all the reforms his father has set in place. He set up pagan altars, defile the Temple of God, and even persecuted God’s faithful. When the Assyrians attacked, why did Manasseh finally turn to God? How did God respond? What sacrament can this story be related to? How does this story show how the sacrament is of great importance?

As he was being dragged away by the Assyrians, Manasseh finally humbled himself and turned to God for help. When all his power was taken from him and he was in great distress, he realized that he was nothing. When he had been defeated by the great Assyrians he humbled himself, realized all the wrong he had done and turned to God for forgiveness. After he saw how he had offended God by leading Jerusalem astray Manasseh called out to the Lord, offered supplication and God heard him.

God did not ignore Manasseh’s desperate call. God responded by letting Manasseh come back to rule his kingdom. By the time Manasseh returned to Jerusalem he was totally changed. Before is conversion he built up pagan altars, encouraged foreign cults, and defiled the Temple. After he realized that the Lord was God he got rid of the pagan altars and cults. In the Temple he offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to make up for his actions.

This sacrament that relates to the story of Manasseh is confession. He committed grave sins, he acknowledged it and asked God for forgiveness. Like in confession we realize we have offended God and ask him for forgiveness. Confession is our first step in making our way back to God. By Manasseh’s desire to change his old ways he is making an effort to build his relationship with God. Like in confession as soon as we repent from our sins and we are honestly sorry for our sins God forgives us, just as God forgave Manasseh. Also as we are given penance by the priest, Manasseh offered sacrifices of thanksgiving as a form of penance.

This story shows us just how important confession is. Without asking God for forgiveness Manasseh would never have turned around. God is all loving and willing to forgive any sins we commit as long as we have a contrite heart. We need confession to realize that we have a chance to start new. God gave Manasseh a new start even though he made God’s chosen people suffer and stray from God. We need to realize that with God will forgive us any of our transgressions.

“Answer me, O Lord, answer me.”

Ch. 12 # 5

Reread the section on Elijah at Sinai. Elijah’s vision of God started not with a powerful presence but with a “still small voice.” How does this revelation tie in with the idea that God has given us complete freedom to choose whether or not to accept his will? How does this revelation help us in our search to know God’s will?

Elijah was hiding in the desert from Jezebel who wanted him dead after he had killed her false god’s prophets. All Elijah wanted was for God to just end his life, but God had a different plan for him. God had an interesting way to deliver his plan to the prophet Elijah. While Elijah was sitting in his cave praying that his life be taken and waiting for his answer from God, a strong powerful wind came crashing through the mountains breaking rocks, an earthquake followed the might wind and after the earthquake there was a great fire. But in all of this Elijah did not hear the Lord calling him. After that powerful demonstration Elijah finally heard God answering him in a “still small voice.” When he heard this, in great reverence he covered his face and went to the mouth of the cave to receive God’s plan for him. Elijah heard and listened to God’s plan. God gave Elijah the strength he needed, through heavenly food to make the great journey to Mount Sinai.

We can see through this great story, our free will combined with our faith in God we can manage anything. When God came to Elijah, who was praying for death, he didn’t barge into the cave pick him up and yell at him to get back up and get over to Sinai. God came to him not in all his power and might but in a small whisper. Elijah could have chosen to ignore this tiny little voice telling him to do something that seemed quite impossible. We have to consciously choose to hear God’s whisper and to accept it. He isn’t forcing us to do anything, he isn’t physically dragging us to where we are supposed to be. We have to make the effort to get up, trust in His will and take action.

After hearing God’s “still small voice” Elijah was filled with strength from God to make the journey ahead. God will not give us a challenge or a cross that we really can’t handle. He knows us inside and out. Our crosses are meant to test our faith and challenge us to be who He wants us to be, not to kill us. He will give us the grace needed to complete the trials ahead if we place ourselves totally in his care. We should strive daily to live according to God’s will for us, to search endlessly for ways to get closer to Him. To live according to His will is the only way to live our lives, and it is all up to us to choose that way.

"Give me now wisdom and knowledge...for who can rule this thy people, that is so great?"

Ch. 11 #1

When God asked Solomon what he wanted from him, all Solomon requested was wisdom enough to rule God’s people. In return for his unselfishness, God granted him wisdom and promised him wealth and power beyond any of the other kings of Israel. How did Solomon’s wisdom and power bring others to God? How did this spreading of the faith help to fulfill the Davidic covenant? What does God expect us to do with the talents he has given us?

People from all over the world were attracted to Solomon’s wisdom and power. His wisdom “surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt” 1 Kings 30. People would travel from the ends of the earth to witness and test his wisdom. The people of King Solomon’s time were just as fascinated with the rich, knowledgeable, and powerful as we are today. Just as in Solomon’s day, the important and well known people in the media and political worlds of today have the power to affect people’s ideas on hot topics. So many times we see campaigns for an awareness of a disease or a problem in another country with a famous spokesperson supporting it. King Solomon has the same if not more sway and charisma that our superstars have today. God used King Solomon as a tool to attract people to Jerusalem. By making this new city a destination for so many peoples from around the world God made them come and see His glory.

This new covenant with God was fulfilled by King Solomon spreading the faith. Solomon’s kingdom was inviting to all peoples from around the world. With the new covenant God wanted to bring all nations in. With the building of the temple in Jerusalem, people were drawn there to witness the Wisdom of Solomon, which was all apart of God’s plan. Unlike the old covenant, the new Davidic covenant was designed to bring all nations to God through Jerusalem and its Temple.

Each of the seven features of the Davidic covenant is fulfilled with King Solomon’s Kingdom. God gave David a kingdom which was passed onto Solomon who is apart of David’s dynasty. King David and Solomon were both God’s adopted sons when they were anointed kings. The new city was unlimited in time and space it was booming large and well known city that was going to last through the ages. King Solomon moved the Ark of the Covenant to the city so Jerusalem became the new spiritual center of the world. To honor God’s presence, King Solomon built a massive Temple to house the Ark. Also with the new covenant God gave a new law for all people in the wisdom literature.

God has given each of us certain talents. Like King Solomon we are meant to use them for the greater glory of God. God blessed Solomon with wisdom and power, he, in turn used that wisdom and knowledge to spread the faith and bring people to God. We are all called by God to use the talents He has blessed us with to glorify Him and help others to see His glory. We should do everything to the very best of our ability and with God in mind. We should never abuse the blessings God has given us for evil or selfish motives. We need to give God thanksgiving as the people did in the Davidic Covenant. It is so important to realize that we are nothing without God. We need to do our best daily and offer our triumphs and struggles to God in thanksgiving for all He has done for us. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam